Pigs are noisy, but AI may be able to interpret their sounds and tell us what they are feeling based on them. A group of scientists has developed an AI algorithm that can decode pigs’ emotions based on their grunts, squeals, and snuffles. The research aims to help farmers understand the emotional and physical health as well as well-being of their animals. Learning that pigs are happy, sad, stressed, or something else can help those raising them work out any potential issues affecting the animals and maintain them in better conditions.

The researchers used thousands of recordings of pigs in all kinds of situations during their lives, right up until they went to the slaughterhouse in some cases. Every squeal and grunt was tagged and labeled depending on whether the pig was experiencing a positive or negative experience. Soon, the AI could determine the emotions that evoked different sounds. For instance, high-pitched squeals often mean fear or stress, while short grunts mean the pig is content.

India is gearing up to celebrate its first National Space Day on August 23, the date on which Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram Lander successfully landed at the ‘Shiv Shakti’ point on the Moon’s south polar region last year.

This day was officially announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a tribute to the scientists, engineers, and researchers who have driven India’s space program to international prominence. The celebration aims to inspire future generations to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), while also highlighting the societal benefits of space technology.

“For India, National Space Day symbolises a significant milestone in its space exploration journey. It marks India’s status as the fourth country to successfully land on the Moon and the first to reach its southern polar region. This achievement not only enhances India’s reputation in the global space community but also serves as a catalyst for increased interest in space science among the youth. The day is an opportunity to showcase the impact of space missions on daily life, emphasising how advancements in space technology can lead to improvements in various sectors, including agriculture, communication, and disaster management,” remarked Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO of Space Kidz India, which is into design, fabrication and launch of small satellites, spacecraft and ground systems.

ISRO Chairman S Somanath, had announced plans for 70 launches over the next five years. This ambitious goal aligns with India’s growing capabilities in space technology and reflects its commitment to expanding its space exploration agenda. Given ISRO’s track record of successful missions and increasing technological advancements, this target is deemed feasible. The planned launches will likely include a mix of satellite deployments, interplanetary missions, and international collaborations, contributing to India’s strategic objectives in space. In addition to this the construction of a new launch pad at Kulasekarapatnam is anticipated to begin before the next National Space Day in 2025. This facility is expected to enhance India’s launch capabilities.

Interestingly India’s space startup ecosystem is rapidly evolving, with several notable companies making significant contributions to the industry. Some of the top Indian space startups include, Agnikul Cosmos that is known for its innovative launch vehicle solutions. Skyroot Aerospace that focuses on developing small satellite launch vehicles and Pixxel that specialises in satellite imagery and data analytics etc.

Various stake holders in the space ecosystem feel that the celebration of National Space Day is expected to foster greater awareness of space science and technology among rural populations. “Through various outreach programs, including educational workshops and mobile exhibitions, ISRO aims to engage students and communities in rural areas. These efforts are designed to demystify space technology and illustrate its relevance to everyday life, thereby inspiring interest and participation in the field of space science among youth in these regions. National Space Day serves as a pivotal platform for celebrating India’s achievements in space exploration while inspiring future generations to engage with science,” added Kesan.

Involving private companies in space exploration is comparatively new for ISRO. The shift has been made possible under the stewardship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi has uniquely encouraged the private sector to participate, which is uncommon for Indian government programmes. In 2020, the government reformed the space sector to encourage private companies’ involvement. On June 20, 2024, Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Science and Technology, mentioned that space startups in India had grown from just one in 2022 to nearly 200 in 2024. He credited this increase to the sector’s reforms.

These applications from Indian companies requested help with authorisations, guidance, facility access, technology transfers and consultancy. By January 1 this year, various private entities had signed 51 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and 34 joint project plans to assist with space activities.

“India has effectively gathered technologies from various countries. It has combined them to create something uniquely Indian. Chandrayaan-3 is a great example of this approach. ISRO said the mission cost just $74 million (about Rs 610 crore), which is less than a commercial airplane and surprisingly low for a spacecraft. This was partly achieved by using affordable off-the-shelf parts along with custom-made ones and by partnering with private companies for some development and manufacturing,” remarked space expert Girish Linganna.

The Centre is planning to launch a month-long campaign starting on Friday, August 23, to celebrate the first-ever ‘National Space Day’. This special day will celebrate India’s outstanding space missions and inspire the country’s youths with a theme that embodies the spirit of exploration: ‘Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga’. This theme highlights how India’s space missions not only achieve incredible milestones, such as reaching the Moon, but also make a positive impact on everyday life.

The National Space Day is meant to celebrate key achievements in space exploration, showcase progress in space technology and spark greater interest in space science among students. It also aims to increase public awareness about the benefits of space exploration while promoting national pride and unity. This day will be celebrated with a series of exciting events across the country, aimed at honouring India’s space achievements and inspiring future generations.

“With Chandrayaan-3, India has demonstrated its dominant role in growing global space market and aims to have 10 percent share of the global space economy in the next 10 years from $9 billion to $45 billion. Indian Space Policy 2023, ISRO and IN-SPACe have created a framework that provides the opportunity for startups to build critical technologies including small rockets, multi-sensor (fusion) satellite constellations, optical space communication, in-orbit maintenance & manufacturing. As India looks to the future ISRO carries the vision to build human space flight, space station and sending an Indian to the moon by 2040,” said Vishesh Rajaram, Managing Partner at Speciale Invest a seed-stage venture capital firm that invests in founders building technologies of tomorrow.

Interestingly the Indian space technology startup ecosystem has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade, especially post the sector’s liberalization, the government has significantly enabled the private sector’s development through multiple initiatives. Key measures such as the Indian Space Policy, 2023, the National Geospatial Policy, 2022, as well as amendments to the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy highlight the support ISRO and In-SPACe have taken for the private space sector.

“Recently, the announcement of allocation of a Rs 1,000 crore venture capital fund during the Union Budget 2024 and the announcement of a Public-Private Partnership to develop a comprehensive Earth Observation System, are very positive indicators of the belief of the Government to substantially enhance the sector’s progress. As an ecosystem, we still look up to the government for the creation of pathways for commercialisation via the private sector, streamlining and accelerating FDI applications and regulatory processes, and exploring updates to taxation policies on intellectual property in the deep tech sector. These efforts will support innovation and drive continued growth and success,” remarked Akash Yalagach, CTO and Co-Founder, KaleidEO.

The best British shows on Netflix run the gamut from reality shows to documentaries, dramas, horror, and everything in between. Many have won awards — including Black Mirror, The Crown, and Baby Reindeer — while others fly under the radar. If you’re looking for a good British show to watch, Netflix is home to tons of them.

If you think you’ve watched them all, think again. This curated list pulls from the best the streaming service has to offer — with many of these shows starring actors you might be familiar with from other American projects, like Wednesday’s Emma Myers in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and The White Lotus’ Theo James in The Gentlemen. Others feature relative unknowns, proving that the U.K. has some of the most talented actors and storytellers around.

Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new shows to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, best shows on Hulu, best shows on Amazon Prime Video, the best shows on Max, and best shows on Disney+.

Related Topics: Netflix | Hulu | Amazon Prime | More Streaming Services

If you’re in the market for a new gaming chair, you’re in the right place. Costway has discounted a really appealing gaming chair. If you’re in the market for something like that, you have a chance to save up quite a bit of cash.

The chair on offer is the ‘Costway Massage Gaming Chair with Footrest’, as its official name on Costway’s website reads. It not only includes a footrest, but lumbar support and a headrest too, not to mention a special massage function. So, let’s talk a bit about it.

Costway gaming chair with a footrest is discounted by 44%

If you check out the image below this paragraph, you’ll see the chair in question. It comes in blue, pink, white, and red colors. The blue color is priced at $169 now (44% off), while all the other colors are $10 more expensive. So, they cost $179.

This chair is adjustable, of course. You can not only adjust its height but the armrest height too. It has a flexible backrest angle adjustment, not to mention that the armrest are rotatable too. This swivel chair can spin all the way around, of course, without a problem. There is no fixed point at which it stops or anything like that.

The footrest on the chair is retractable, so you can use it as you need to. If you need to kick back, you can always push it out. If not, it can stay out of the way while you’re working/gaming at your desk. There are actually a number of different angles you can set up the backrest on this chair, ranging from 90 to 180 degrees.

In fact, Costway even indicated what each of those angles is for. A 90-degree angle, for example, is indicated as meant for ‘work’. A 110-degree angle is great for gaming, while a 150-degree angle is great for relaxing. There is also a flat 180-degree angle which you can use to sleep, basically, but that’s not something we’d recommend you do in a gaming chair, that’s for sure.

It’s made out of “heavy-duty metal frame”

The frame of this chair is made out of metal, and it includes a “premium gas rod for extra stability”. To quote the company directly, this chair has a “heavy-duty metal frame with a five-point base”. It can bear weight up to 330 lbs, which is the equivalent of 150 kg. In other words, even if you’re a somewhat heavier individual, this chair will be able to handle it.

The chair itself weighs 44 lbs, which is the equivalent of 20 kg. It measures 29 x 27 x 49 – 53 inches or 74 x 69 x 124 – 135 cm. It is made to suit all heights basically, so no matter if you’re a shorter or taller individual, it’s all good.

The lumbar pillow should help with your posture, and it also has a massage function if you provide it with electricity. So not only does it make sure you have the right posture, but it can massage your lower back. The wheels are there if you need to move around your room/office. Costway claims that they’re really smooth in terms of operation.

Do note that Costway is offering a 30-day return guarantee, and you’re also getting a warranty with your purchase. The company is also offering 8% cashback on orders worth $300 or more, for Black Friday. If you order less than $300 worth of merchandise, you’ll get 5% cashback on your order. The listing says $0-300, which essentially means you can get a 5% cashback even if you order only one chair.

Another thing to note is that on every order over $100 that you place, you enter a draw to win a free gift. We don’t know what gifts are available, as Costway did not indicate that. In any case, you can get into running for some sort of a mysterious gift, we presume something from the Costway website.

Buy the Costway gaming chair with footrest (Costway)

This offer is valid until December 8

This offer will be valid until December 8, by the way. You do have plenty of time to make your purchase, just don’t make sure to miss that date. Costway did mention that the stocks are limited, so… first come first serve. They could technically be sold out before December 8, of course.

For those of you who are not familiar with Costway. This is an e-commerce platform that mainly sells patio furniture, treadmills, baby and kids products, home appliances, and cooling products. You’ll find all sorts of different products on offer there, though. There really is plenty to choose from, from categories I listed and beyond that.

This deal is a part of Costway’s ‘Black Friday’ sale. If you’d like to check various other offers the company has to offer as part of that sale, you can head over to this link. Yes, Costway kicked off its Black Friday deals very early, but that gives you plenty of time to find what you’re interested in and for Costway to ship it your way.

Apple is reportedly still working on glucose management — this time through software. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says the company tested an app this year for pre-diabetic people, helping them manage their diet and lifestyle. Apple is said not to have plans to launch the app to consumers, but it could play a part in future health products.

The company reportedly tested the app internally, with employees confirmed through a blood test to be at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The subjects “actively monitored their blood sugar via various devices available on the market,” logging corresponding glucose changes. The app would then note correlations between dietary changes and blood sugar levels (for example, “don’t eat the pasta”).

Gurman says Apple paused the test to focus on other health features. Bloomberg notes that the Apple Health app currently lacks meal tracking, something rival services offer. The publication also says Apple could eventually offer deeper third-party glucose tracking integration into its products.

The study reportedly wasn’t directly related to Apple’s 15-year quest to offer non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, something that’s seemingly regurgitated in Apple Watch rumors every cycle. The company’s current hardware prototype is reportedly an iPhone-sized wearable device that uses lasers to shoot light into the skin. Gurman claims Apple’s first consumer-facing version — whether in the Apple Watch or some other form — will likely only notify users if they may be pre-diabetic. Providing specific glucose levels would have to come in later iterations.

Reid Hoffman, the LinkedIn co-founder and prominent tech investor, offered an optimistic vision for artificial intelligence on Tuesday, introducing his concept of “super agency” that frames AI as a tool for human empowerment rather than replacement.

Speaking at a TED AI conference fireside chat with CNBC’s Julia Boorstin in San Francisco, Hoffman previewed themes from his upcoming book on super agency, positioning AI as the next frontier of human capability enhancement.

“If you look back at technology, it actually massively increases human agency,” Hoffman said. “Each of these major technological leaps give us superpowers.” He drew parallels between historical innovations like horses and automobiles to today’s AI systems, which he characterized as “cognitive superpowers.”

AI election risks and regulation: Silicon Valley leader pushes back on concerns

The timing of Hoffman’s messaging appears strategic, coming amid growing anxiety about AI’s impact on jobs and democracy. While acknowledging concerns about job displacement and election misinformation, Hoffman maintained that transition challenges are manageable.

On election integrity, Hoffman downplayed immediate risks from AI-generated deepfakes in the 2024 race, though he acknowledged future concerns. “Undoubtedly, there is some use of AI crime and misinformation… but it doesn’t yet have a significant impact,” he said, suggesting technical solutions like “encryption timestamps” could help authenticate content.

Hoffman also defended California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent veto of sweeping AI regulation, praising instead the White House’s approach of seeking voluntary commitments from tech companies before implementing specific rules. “Having essentially vague, uncertain penalties and uncertain evaluations is a very good way to quell the future development of emerging technology,” he argued.

Enterprise AI opportunities: Where startups can still compete with big tech

For enterprise leaders watching AI developments, Hoffman emphasized that despite the dominance of large tech companies in developing foundation models, opportunities remain for startups building applications on top of them. “There’s a massive amount of AI now,” he said, pointing to areas like sales, marketing, and computer security as fertile ground for innovation.

Notably, Hoffman envisioned AI democratizing access to expertise, describing a future where everyone with a phone could access “the equivalent of a GP everywhere in the world.” This vision aligns with growing enterprise interest in AI assistants and automated customer service solutions.

Silicon Valley’s political divide: Tech leaders split on AI policy and regulation

The discussion revealed tensions in Silicon Valley’s political landscape, with Hoffman addressing what Boorstin characterized as a rightward shift among tech leaders. The conversation took a pointed turn when Hoffman appeared to criticize fellow tech leader Elon Musk’s support of Trump, without naming him directly.

When discussing tech leaders’ rightward shift, Hoffman questioned the motives of “some people who are out there campaigning and spreading pretty wild conspiracy theories… not just on x.com but in other places.”

He suggested such support might be driven by “self-interested” pursuits like “getting government contracts,” rather than genuine policy convictions. The veiled reference to Musk, who has pledged millions to Trump’s campaign and frequently posts pro-Trump content on his X platform, highlights growing divisions among Silicon Valley’s elite over the upcoming election.

Hoffman, a prominent Democratic supporter and backer of Vice President Kamala Harris, attributed some of the broader rightward movement to “single issue voters around cryptocurrency” and business interests seeking favorable regulation. He emphasized that a “stable business environment you can invest in is much more important” than pursuing narrow interests like corporate tax cuts.

Future of work and AI’s next chapter

Hoffman’s vision suggests a fundamental shift in how we should think about AI adoption. While much of Silicon Valley frames artificial intelligence as a replacement for human work, his “super agency” concept positions it as an amplifier of human potential.

“Humans not using AI will be replaced by humans using AI,” Hoffman predicted, arguing that the real divide won’t be between humans and machines, but between those who embrace AI’s capabilities and those who don’t.

The stakes of this transition extend far beyond Silicon Valley. As AI capabilities expand, Hoffman’s optimistic vision will be tested against mounting concerns about job displacement and technological control. But his core message is clear: the future belongs not to those who resist AI, but to those who learn to harness it as a tool for human empowerment—even if that means fundamentally rethinking what it means to be human in an AI-enabled world.